Members of the association sat down with council business services director Trevor Ierino and councillor Michael Fraser on Thursday to flesh out the details of the document.

Association president Ian Deegan said a second university was one of many concerns the group had, but overall the budget was “encouraging”.

“From what I believe La Trobe hasn’t got the student numbers to stay viable in Wodonga,” Mr Deegan said.

“I think perhaps they should be better served trying to improve what we have here instead of trying to get something extra.

“I asked them about the university and they said they haven’t spoken to La Trobe yet.

“They said pursuing a second university for Wodonga had always been their mission.”

Lobbying for a second university has been listed as a key strategic mission of the council since 2013.

It is part of an action plan that was developed from a community consultation process called 2033 vision, conducted in 2008.

The council’s chief executive, Patience Harrington, said the purpose was to improve access to education and training.

“Advocating for a second university for Wod-onga has been part of the council plan since 2013.

“Certainly, the tertiary landscape has changed in the past two to three years and over that period we have met with local providers and relevant agencies to discuss provision of tertiary services in the region.

“Our discussions have included La Trobe University and Charles Sturt University and they have our full support in providing education in our region.”

La Trobe University has welcomed the council’s commitment to university study on the Border.

However, a university spokesman said there was a strong capacity for enrolment growth at the existing Wodonga campus.

“What we are also seeing is a trend away from campus based learning, with more and more Victorians preferring a blend of face-to-face and online lectures and tutorials,” he said.

“The way people study now is much different to five years ago.”